Day Trip to Kastellorizo from Kaş: How to Go & What to Do

Taking a day trip to Kastellorizo (or Meis, as it’s called in Turkey) wasn’t part of our original Turquoise Coast plans. We booked a last-minute trip to Kaş, mostly because I was tired of the grey weather back home in the Netherlands and had wanted to visit Kaputaş Beach for ages. But while mapping things out, I spotted this tiny Greek island just offshore—and added it to my list right away.

Kastellorizo is Greece’s easternmost island, sitting just a couple of kilometers off the coast of Kaş. It’s only a 20-minute ferry ride away and ticks all the classic Greek island boxes: pastel houses, turquoise water, fresh seafood, and a laid-back vibe. It instantly reminded me of our time island-hopping through the Cyclades a few years ago—and ever since then, I haven’t needed much of an excuse to go back to Greece. And if you’ve been, you’ll know exactly why.

If you’re already in Kaş, hopping over to Kastellorizo is one of the easiest day trips you can do—and honestly, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip.

If you’re thinking about checking it out, here’s how to get there, what to expect, and what to do in Kastellorizo in a day.

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How to Get to Kastellorizo from Kaş

Ferry Tickets & Schedules

Two ferry companies operate between Kaş and Kastellorizo: Meis Express and Meis Ferry Lines. Most days, there’s just one round-trip. Ferries usually leave Kaş around 9:30 or 10:00 am and return by 4:00 or 4:30 pm, depending on the operator. In summer, both companies usually add extra sailings on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so it’s worth checking the schedule ahead of time.

When I visited, I booked the 11:30 am ferry with Meis Express and came back at 11:00 pm. It gave me a full day to explore the island without having to rush.

I bought tickets at the Meis Express office on the main square in Kaş, near the Statue of Atatürk. Meis Ferry Lines is also nearby—just a little farther down the promenade toward the mosque. You can also book online through Ferryhopper, 12Go, or directly on the ferry companies’ websites.

Prices can vary slightly between the two, even though both offer same-day returns. I paid €35 for a return ticket with Meis Express, but later saw Meis Ferry Lines had it for €30. If you want to save a few euros, it’s worth comparing both before you book.

What to Know Before Taking the Kaş–Kastellorizo Ferry

When booking, you’ll need to provide your passport details, a phone number, and an email. If you don’t have a Turkish SIM, I’d recommend setting up an eSIM for Turkey in advance. That way, you can get booking confirmations and updates without any issues.

Because you’re leaving Turkey and entering Greece, you’ll go through border control on both ends. Make sure your passport is valid and that you have a Schengen visa if your nationality requires one. I also recommend getting to the port (location) at least 30 minutes early so you have enough time for passport control.

Besides your ferry ticket, you’ll need to pay two small fees. The first is a €5 Greek port tax, usually collected when you book. The second is a 130 TL Turkish port fee, paid at the kiosk just before passport control. I paid with my debit card and had no issues.

Boarding was easy, and the boat had drinks like beer, soda, and water—but no snacks, so grab something beforehand if you think you’ll want one.

Kastellorizo sits just 1.3 km off the Turkish coast, and the crossing takes only 15 to 20 minutes. That said, delays can happen. On my trip, we had to wait to dock because a Blue Star Ferry from Rhodes arrived just before us and blocked the port. Passport control on the Greek side also had an issue, so we ended up accessing the island about 90 minutes later than expected. Luckily, with my return set for 11 pm, it didn’t cut into the day too much.

What to Do in Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo’s official name is Megísti, which means “the biggest” in Greek. It’s a bit ironic, since it’s actually the smallest inhabited island in the Dodecanese. You can walk across the main stretch in under 20 minutes—but don’t let the size fool you. There’s still plenty to fill a relaxed day.

Here’s how I spent mine—plus a few extra ideas if you’ve got more time.

Go Swimming at St. George Island

Right after clearing customs, I hopped on a small boat to St. George Island—a rocky little islet named after the tiny chapel that sits on it. The ride only takes a few minutes, and you’ll spot skippers offering rides all along the waterfront as you head toward the busier part of town. I paid €10 for a round-trip with Captain Kostas, who was super friendly and let me choose my return time. He only accepts cash, so make sure you have some euros on you.

The island is tiny and doesn’t really have a beach (unless you swim out to the little patch across the bay), but it’s one of the nicest places to spend a few hours sunbathing and swimming. There are loungers for rent (€10), bathrooms, and a great little restaurant serving drinks and simple Mediterranean-style bites. Beers cost about €5, and the menu had things like salads, sandwiches, calamari, bureki, and gözleme—which is what I ordered. It was honestly one of the best I’ve had. Cash and card payments accepted.

The water’s crystal clear, with steps and ladders straight into the sea. If you don’t feel like paying for a lounger, just find an empty patch and throw down a towel—that’s what I did.

Visit the Blue Cave

One of the main things I wanted to see was the Kastellorizo Blue Cave. Unfortunately, I missed it because I took the later ferry, and by the time I arrived, the tide was too high to get inside.

Most boat trips go to the cave first before heading to St. George Island, so if it’s high on your list, take an earlier ferry and ask the skippers about conditions when you arrive. The entrance is barely a metre high, so you have to duck or lie flat to get through. Once inside, sunlight hits the white seabed and turns the water a glowing shade of electric blue.

Many people consider it one of the most beautiful sea caves in Greece. And from everything I’ve read, it sounds like it’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype.

Walk Along the Waterfront

After getting back from St. George Island, I spent some time wandering along the waterfront. It’s lined with pastel-coloured houses, small boutique shops, and traditional Greek tavernas, and it instantly reminded me of Ammoudi Bay in Santorini—just without the crowds.

Kastellorizo is small enough to explore entirely on foot, and you can walk from one side of the bay to the other in about 20 minutes.

One of the first places you’ll pass is Agios Georgios Tou Pigadiou, a 19th-century church with a bright orange dome, whitewashed walls, and a pretty bell tower. It wasn’t open when I visited, but if it is when you’re there, I’d definitely pop inside.

A little further along is the old filming location from Mediterraneo—an Oscar-winning Italian film that put Kastellorizo on the map for many international visitors. There’s not much to see beyond a small plaque, but it’s a fun photo stop.

At the far end of the bay sits the Megisti Hotel. It’s listed in just about every travel guide as the top-rated place to stay. Interestingly, it was the first hotel on the island, opening in 1971. It features sea-facing rooms and a large checkered terrace right by the Aegean Sea. I was surprised to find it closed, and after checking online, I saw they’re shut until further notice.

Hike Up to Castello Rosso

If you’re more interested in sightseeing (and have the energy), you can hike up to the ruins of Castello Rosso, aka Red Castle. It was built in the 14th century by the Knights of St. John on top of older Byzantine and Hellenistic fortifications.

There’s not much left beyond the outer walls and a few foundations, but the views over the bay are said to be incredible, especially around sunset.

Another sight worth stopping at before or after the climb is the old mosque along the waterfront near the ferry dock. This pink-domed Ottoman-era building is one of the oldest on the island. Today, it houses a tiny ethnographic museum with archaeological finds, old photographs, and everyday objects that give a glimpse into Kastellorizo’s past.

I didn’t make it to either spot this time. I only had about an hour before meeting up with my fiancé, who arrived on the 17:30 ferry from Kaş, so I decided to spend it exploring instead.

Grab Dinner Along the Waterfront 

Some of the best restaurants in Kastellorizo are right along the waterfront, and eating here is one of the highlights of any visit. 

We had sundowners and a shared platter at Stratos Café, which had great views, a relaxed vibe, and amazing food.

For fresh seafood, Alexandra’s Restaurant is the top-rated dinner spot. It’s right by the water, and the setup looked beautiful with candlelight. If you’re planning to go, book ahead as it gets quite busy.

Since we weren’t too hungry, we went for gyros at To Stenaki (The Grill). We’ve been a bit obsessed with this famous Greek street food ever since visiting Santorini, so finding it here was a real treat. They were tasty and filling, and the owner was lovely.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Kastellorizo ended up being a real highlight of my trip to Kaş. And honestly, hopping over to a tiny Greek island for the day was just too good to pass up.

The island is laid-back, photogenic, and easy to explore in a few hours. But I can almost guarantee you’ll wish you could stay longer.

If you’re already in Kaş and want something different from the usual Sunken City boat tours, a day trip to Kastellorizo is well worth it. 

I hope this guide helped you figure out how to spend a few hours (or more) on the island. If you have questions I didn’t cover, feel free to drop them in the comments.

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